9 Pairs of Postpartum Underwear to Provide Extra Comfort When You Need it Most

Kindred Bravely is known for its stylish yet functional postpartum apparel (the brand also won the What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award for the best nursing bra), and these cute high-waisted undies are no exception.Although the brand specifically recommends this pair for moms who’ve had C-sections, moms who have given birth vaginally also love these soft, comfortable panties. 

The fabric has a bit of spandex, which moms appreciate for the stretch it delivers, but they also don’t get too stretched out even after many washes. They’re also wide, so there’s plenty of room for large pads. Additionally, the classic, feminine design can help you feel a little more human during those tough early days, while also giving the underwear some longevity. Many moms say that they find themselves still sporting a pair when their baby is 3, 6 or even 12 months old — the undies are that good.

This high-waisted postpartum underwear is a good universal choice, though many other Kindred Bravely styles also come highly-recommended from What to Expect moms. If you’d prefer a style without lace details, try the brand’s Signature Cotton French Cut Brief, which has a high waistband made of a thin elastic instead of lace.

Lochia (which is postpartum vaginal blood) flow tends to be particularly heavy in the early postpartum days. Some moms may opt for mesh underwear at this time, but many more prefer wearing disposable underwear, as it offers superior leak protection and usually doesn’t require adding a pad. 

When it comes to disposable postpartum underwear, What to Expect moms recommend Always Discreet Incontinence Underwear time and time again. Although Always designed these rave-reviewed undies for incontinence, new moms have been using them with great success. There’s a built-in pad that offers maximum protection, making them ideal for those first few days after giving birth.

The catch? You don’t want to rely on these alone for the fourth trimester since they’re not very breathable and are very bulky — some moms say that they’re best for overnight use only (especially because you won’t have to worry about pads shifting while you sleep). You can get one large pack to carry you through the heavy-bleeding phase. 

Always sells both a fragrance-free (which is the pack listed here) and scented version of this product, so if you prefer to avoid fragrance (as many new moms do to avoid irritating their already-sensitive vagina), make sure you buy the right pack.

If you’re hoping for underwear with some light compression to help support your postpartum recovery, the UpSpring C-Panty C-Section Recovery Underwear is a great choice. This well-made, multi-tasking undergarment is pricey, but it comes with several features that postpartum moms will appreciate. What to Expect moms particularly love the cushiony silicone panel is made of silicone, which sits gently sits over your scar to help reduce irritation. Meanwhile, the high-waisted silhouette and nylon-spandex material helps provide some support without being constricting.

You can get it in sleek black or nude — and the material is luxe enough to help you feel a little pampered while you recover. Just keep in mind that if you have had a C-section, your incision should be fully closed and healed (with no remaining scabs) before you use it.

Some moms do find the compression feels restricting, especially if you wear it for a long time — so you may want to purchase just one pair at first to make sure it’s comfortable for you.

What to Expect moms rave about the Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear. Though many people refer to these as “mesh undies,” and they do have a mesh-like look and feel, they’re actually made of a stretchy non-mesh microfiber with spandex. Moms prefer this option over true mesh because it gives them the same ease without being see-through. Plus, it offers a bit more support than typical mesh hospital underwear. The fabric also doesn’t have any tags, so it’s non-irritating on sensitive skin.

“I’m so glad I packed these in my hospital bag,” says Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director. “It felt like real underwear, which helped me feel more comfortable postpartum. They also stayed in place much better than the hospital option, which was great for nighttime.”

Lisafe Carreon, Senior Product Manager, also found the Frida Mom underwear crucial postpartum. "They are so comfortable. Definitely better than the ones the hospital gives to you," she says. "They're not scratchy or bulky, and they fit great."

They’re available in two styles (high-waisted and boyshort) and two sizes for each: petite, which stretches up to 34 inches in the waist, and regular, which goes up to 42 inches.

The one downside, moms say, is that Frida Mom’s disposable underwear doesn’t include a pad and is instead designed to help keep pads in place. Some people prefer this, because it means that the underwear itself is more breathable and lightweight, and you can add in your own pad or padsicle. But others like disposable underwear with built-in padding, so if that’s the case for you, this may not be the right option.

Made mostly of cotton with just a touch of spandex, these undies will give you a little extra support without making you feel like you've been stuffed into a girdle. The double-layer waistband is wide, which helps prevent it from rolling down, and there are several different color options and a decent size range (available up to 3XL). Plus, the gently supportive material is also snug enough to hold a pad in place.

A number of What to Expect moms specifically recommend Innersy underwear for those who have had a C-section, because the high waist leaves plenty of room for your incision.

Note that these are not designed as postpartum underwear, so you'll likely want to size up for a comfortable fit. What’s nice about them not being a postpartum style, however, is that many moms say they continue wearing Innersy underwear long after they’ve recovered.

Although most high-waisted undies are appropriate for C-section recovery, What to Expect moms say Depends underwear are particularly great. Many women end up switching to “real” underwear after a few weeks (the Innersy, Kindred Bravely and UpSpring styles on this list are all popular choices), but Depends offer tons of convenience in those early days. 

What moms like best about wearing Depends at first is that they don’t have to worry about leaking. Because they’re technically designed for incontinence, they’re ultra-absorbent. Plus, the waistband is high and leaves plenty of room to accommodate an incision. They’re also incredibly comfortable: The material is soft and fabric-like, despite being disposable underwear. And although they’re on the bulky side, they look and feel as close to real underwear as you can for disposables, moms say. 

Bodily’s All-In Panty is designed to do it all: They’re ultra-soft and supportive during pregnancy, but they can easily transition to the postpartum period regardless of whether you gave birth vaginally or via C-section. These undies are a popular choice among plus-size moms, too, since they offer extended sizing up to 3X (size 22-24).

Moms rave about Bodily’s soft, comfortable and high-quality fabric. Made of a micro modal and elastane blend, the material is OEKO-TEX certified, which means it’s been tested against up to 350 toxic chemicals. These undies are also stretchy enough to grow with your body, though some moms recommend sizing up if you want to accommodate a pad or ice pack postpartum. The waistband is high enough to clear a C-section incision, with a soft elastic that doesn't dig into skin, and the wide crotch area is perfect for holding a pad.

Robin Hilmantel, What to Expect's Senior Director of Editorial Strategy and Growth, agrees that these Bodily underwear are extremely comfortable. "The bodily panty is super soft and also really high-wasted. It's great for wearing under a robe or PJs because it's somehow luxurious but also comfy while you're recovering," she says. "That said, it isn't super-practical for wearing under clothing since it is so high-wasted."

These undies are full coverage, but some moms say they can occasionally ride up in the back. At $16 each, they’re one of the more expensive postpartum underwear options — but many moms find that because they can be worn for so long and are so comfortable, the price is worth it.

Comfortable? Check. Lower in price than others? Check. Won’t be upset if you bleed all over them? Check. These are just some of the reasons why countless What to Expect moms — including experienced moms who have given birth multiple times — buy Hanes for the postpartum period. 

Not only are Hanes undies affordable — for $10, you can get six pairs, making them just $1.66 each) — but they’re also ultra comfortable to wear. Moms appreciate how soft they are (this pair is made of 100-percent cotton) and that they’re stretchy yet fitted to keep a pad in place. 

“I appreciated the waistband on the Hanes underwear; tight enough to keep the underwear in place but not so tight that it put extra pressure on my stomach,” says Leah Rocketto, What to Expect Associate Commerce Director and mom of a 20-month-old. She switched to Hanes when she came home from the hospital. “They also had enough room for my very large padsicles, which were crucial to my initial recovery. Because they hold pads so well, I still wear them at night when I get my period.”

The waistband is soft enough not to be binding or uncomfortable against your stomach. Plus, because they’re so affordable, many moms tell us they have no problem stocking up and aren’t worried about them getting stained or dirty. Both the cotton briefs and boyfriend shorts styles are popular with postpartum moms. (Keep in mind that because these aren’t designed for postpartum women specifically, you’ll definitely want to size up.)

Many postpartum moms rely on period underwear to absorb postpartum bleeding without needing to constantly wear a pad. Although pricey, each pair is said to hold up to four tampons-worth of absorbency. Moms love that these are comfortable to wear and means that you don’t have to worry about bulky pads. What’s especially great about these period underwear in particular is that they’re made from bamboo, which means they’ll be extra soft and gentle against your skin.

Other than the price, the only other downside is that you’ll need to wash them frequently, especially in the first few days after you come home from the hospital. Luckily, they’re safe to put in the washing machine on a cold, delicate cycle, but you’ll have to let them air-dry. Also, keep in mind that many reviewers note they had to order one to two sizes larger for them to fit postpartum.